Kin-Kin watched the happenings from her den, which wasn’t too far away from the odd nest. She’d awoken from a restless slumber to find her attention drawn by a bright flash of colour, and a multitude of gems coming and going. With her head on her paws, Kin-Kin watched, blinking slowly and trying to decide if the mood was right to go see what all the fuss was about. She really wasn’t in the mood for company.

But after some time, it seemed quiet over there. Most gems appeared to have left. Kin-Kin glanced around, looking for shapes picking their way over the rocks towards the colourful nest. There were none. the she-wolf hauled herself onto all four paws and stretched, leaving her sword where it lay, tip buried in the soil beside her roughly-hollowed den. Then she picked her way down the well-trodden path, and reached the eggs. The beautiful sight of the eggs, and the prospect ofowning one, managed to lift her spirits slightly, and she selected the prettiest she could find that would fit in her jaws.

As she padded away, Kin-Kin raised her head high and tried to look as proud as she had before. As though nothing had changed. There was no-one to see it, but also no harm in trying.

-exit Kin-Kin-